Gammalite

Yes that seems fairly true these days mate. quite a sad turn of events. A lot of hobby/slow class horse trainers have found the game too fast and can't compete with the professional stables . North island has no slow tracks for them to race at regularly. so getting too hard to compete.😪 The Big Guns are just getting more dominant, (BarryP, RayGreen, Herlihy,Reid and a couple of others) and your post made me think that Queensland man Dean Shannon , the multi millionaire ENTAIN CEO (who I thought was helping originally) is actually doing the North a 'Dis-service' by buying so many yearlings himself and racing them with Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. He has 15 horses on their books . like merlin, Cold Chisel , etc... Because this weight of numbers sort of thing and money to buy the Top Lots at the sales ( a bit Like ALL Stars millionaire Owners have done for years) he is thwarting the chances of the 'smaller' guy to win those races...... so they (smaller guys) give up in the end. So I guess that does put the Punter off as well. I usually Punt gallops racing, and as was pretty happy seeing 'Regular folk' winning at Adelaide Cup Big raceday yesterday .( small-time owners and trainers) Instead of the usual Saturday Multi Millionaire exclusives. the 2 normal guys winning the Cup itself was a breath of fresh air. good on em'. so am starting to get the ' feel ' myself, for your (Walt,Galah, Nowornever and others) support of the small harness meetings in the South Island where those Millionaires don't compete.

Glad you noticed some of the Best three year olds in the country lining up there Brodster. Getting ready for the Great Northern Derby soon. And you should see the Fillies in the $100,000 race !!!. Must be a Million dollars worth of horses easy. what fantastic field and the Oaks will be greeaat. ! Can't wait for the racing action. Auckland very lucky to have such amazing trainers.🏆 here's the fabulous fillies field. I might go for Kiss for the QLD owner . his Nz Derby winning horse MERLIN did fantastic win in Aus last Saturday too. 1 43X621 Akatea 3 f R54 1 Ft Steve & Amanda Telfer 2 6X5161 Seaside Rose 3 f R51 2 Ft Steve & Amanda Telfer 3 11211 All You Need Is Me 3 f R65 3 Ft Carter Dalgety(J) Cran & Chrissie Dalgety 4 940142 Kiss 3 f R57 4 Ft Scott Phelan Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan 5 111421 Coastal Babe 3 f R65 5 Ft Matthew White Steven Reid 6 11611 Ruby Roe 3 f R63 6 Ft Nathan Williamson Nathan Williamson 7 228133 Ultimate Racy Girl 3 f R49 7 Ft Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan 8 587636 Onyx Shard 3 f R41 8 Ft Andre Poutama Ray Green ------------------ Second Line ------------------ 9 132121 Duchess Megxit 3 f R59 9 Ft Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan 10 12441 Minjee 3 f R54 10 Ft Tony Herlihy Logan Hollis & Shane Robertson 11 221534 Treacherous Baby 3 f R53 11 Ft Mark Purdon Mark & Nathan Purdon

Well that is just next level 'Spectacular' ! thanks for the nomination of that one . amazing effort by that young lady .... here's a snippet >> GUTSY Wanganui jockey Laura Tunnell was nursing a bruised, swollen knee at home yesterday after her incredible journey to win New Zealand's richest hurdle race. The 22-year-old guided her old mate Starbo to victory in the $70,000 Lindauer Great Northern Hurdles, literally with a leg in the air. With a round to go of the 4190-metre journey, the leathers holding her right stirrup iron came loose and dangled under the horse's belly for almost 2000m. With just one foot in a stirrup, Tunnell gripped hard with her right knee to stay aboard and finish the race. Safely over the last fence, Tunnell urged Starbo between horses to get up and win by a long neck in one of the most incredible rides in history and against what experts were calling the strongest northern field ever. Racing scribes were immediately calling on every superlative known to describe Tunnell's gutsy effort.

Not many riders finishing in front of her today either. Having a ball at her old stamping ground of Morphettville. 37 degrees there today too. Zac Spain went 2000m with no Irons in the Adelaide Cup after one broke a lap out. Was a jolly good effort and ran 4th !! fantastic bit of riding under trying circumstances. Never seen anything like it.

Todays the Day Chief. (not for error but for heaps more wins ) Jamie gone home to her home State to ride today . Gunna ride the QUADDIE i'd say. She's absolutely got an Imperatriz wing on both Jockey boots and is killing it. FANTASTIC Ride on Meridius just then in the CS Hayes , and not long to the Adelaide Cup now. No matter how you map it she'll be winning with THE MAP in about half an hour in the Cup. Get all your Ellerslie money on it now mate 😁 . KAH-Ching 💰Kah Ching 💰

This seems reasonable as we saw the reaction of Walt on this thread backing your observations up , and he is a seasoned campaigner like your good self. You make an error though... looking at just one horse / driver though (Robbie Close) , and only because it was 'In the Market' and you guys and some punters would of liked it to win on one of the 2 days. I've never heard of it personally . I look at a race to support ALL the runners . I don't care about the market . And ALL the runners have supporters . They should ALL be held to the rules and critical acclaim . No good being biased if you're a steward or a punter because the tote price is shorter on one than another . You gotta look out for Everyone . There was more happening in those 2 races even ( than just Robbie sitting back )

The reason being they are/were Exactly the same . sat at the back until home straight , weaved through to 4th. People can See that , that watched the 2 races. Don't compare them if you don't want too. But I've watched about 50,000 races and they looked pretty similar to me. same tactic employed.. almost identical. You say it's a poor drive on Mounga (fair enough) who was beat about 6 lengths at Westport so drive couldn't of been that great. Dashing Major was Well beaten even further , by the poor drive on it , but improved today with more senior driver on. Who said go round and sit in death again? . Not me . I said it was a POOR move at Westport by that driver , on DASHING MAJOR. He lost Way way way more ground at the start there, than it did today? , and only looped the field, a round out at Westport, to give the heavily supported Jimmy Arma Cover. Easy to see what was going on (tactically) You can see what is up ahead in a race you know? ... Dashing Major not much chance on that EXTREME hard run , and there other Dunn horse didn't win anyway . Today not trying to get near Jimmy Arma at all lol. but that's another story lol. BTW great win today Jimmy (congrats to the connections 😆) Maybe Sarah and /or Robbie could consider a move 600m out?? . Today Mounga and Dashing Major both finished hard in home straight, with a head between them at the end , but possibly both went a little late again? finishing 3rd and 4th at the line. those big fields do make it hard to get your timing right?. (when to get your finishing run going in a race) .. You and Walt have been VERY HARSH in this thread on Robbie Close. If you say he wasn't trying at Westport , or Today, and should be penalised ? grilled? charred and roasted or whatever.... I'm Saying You should be doing the Same With Sarah's Drive today in that case (on the best horse in the Field) and that was driven EXACTLY the same as Mounga was at Westport. almost to a Tee. they even finished at the same Speed today closing sectional . back to the replays now mate.😁😎 better check out these others who leave it too late 😉

Are you suggesting that Robbie Close should be grilled by the Stewards from Westport ? for not trying ? and Sarah can drive EXACTLY the same ? and nothing be asked.... Did you watch Sarah O'Reilly at Reefton Today in the same class horse race? She was driving the BEST horse, (the Backmarker horse in DASHING MAJOR storming home from last at the quarter , EXACTLY like Mounga on the first day weaving through field . for a solid 4th . So should Sarah receive the same Criticism from you and Walt ? and be grilled by the stewards too. ? Was exactly the same thing . (I think the first day drive on Dashing Major was poor just IMO ) today much better drive with Sarah on , and the horse performed much better accordingly. (not having to look after Jimmy Arma this time round) and finishing off strongly.

A 1.48.2 Miracle mile time as the Queenslanders controlled the Tempo up front. First, 3rd and 4th for the 3 Queenslanders so a BIG result for a battling harness state. Sooner the Better cuts me out of the 3 point bonus sadly, (and the Trifecta alas) but a handy 18 points for Gammalite in the Mile scored. Gamma 18, TABman 14, Galah 17, Chief 15, Blackie 12, Brodster 11, Ranga 16 scored. TOTAL Points after the 6 Group 1 Menangle races Brodie 81, Blackie 80, Gamma 79, Chief 79, TABman 73, Ranga 69, the Galah 67 pts. some great racing see's a fantastic Nz Win to Merlin and the QLD champ Leap To Fame the new Miracle Mile Champion . somehow Brodie and Blackie have headed us off 🫣 . always some upsets on the card I spose. big odds 🤣lol.. have a great week.

Nearly fell off the chair with excitement there as LEAP TO FAME sits parked and takes victory for Queensland with Sooner the Better 2nd for Nz and Speak The Truth leading them up and fading late to 3rd. Hi MyNameIsJeff over-reached as they tried for the lead and galloped so a bit of a surprise with good driver Cam Hart doing that. 1 LEAP TO FAME Fr7 9 Grant Dixon Grant Dixon $ 2.70 BAY HORSE 5 by BETTORS DELIGHT USA out of LETTUCEREASON (ART MAJOR USA) Owner(s): Solid Earth Pty Ltd Breeder(s): Redbank Lodge Standardbreds 2 SOONER THE BETTOR NZ Fr4 5 B Purdon, S D T Phelan Gavin Fitzpatrick $ 51.00 3 SPEAK THE TRUTH Fr1 1 Shannon Price Adam Sanderson $ 5.50 4 FRANKIE FEROCIOUS Fr8 10 Jason Grimson Jack Trainor $ 9.50 5 DONT STOP DREAMING NZ Fr6 8 M Purdon, N Purdon Mark Purdon $ 10.00 6 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS NZ Fr2 2 Luke McCarthy Jack Callaghan $ 15.00 7 HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ Fr5 7 Jason Grimson Cameron Hart $ 3.20 8 LOYALIST NZ Fr3 3 Joe Conolly Seaton Grima $ 21.00

The Miracle Mile is next . The great race . You guys gone to bed probably 😆. 8 of the SUPERSTARS of AUSTRALASIA set to do Battle !! com'on Queensland 🤣lol... Selections: for the 2024 Miracle Mile Chief Stipe has the gun kiwi's Sooner The Better (Nz) and Don't Stop Dreaming (Nz) TABman has the co-favourites Hi MyNameIsJeff and Leap To Fame (Qld) theGalah has the 2 widest alleys Leap To Fame (Qld) and Frankie Ferocious (Qld) Blackie has last start winners Speak The Truth (Qld) and Hi MyNameIsJeff (Nsw) Gammalite has mighty Queenslanders Speak The Truth and Leap To Fame (Qld) Brodie has always spoke the truth so it is Speak The Truth and BOAY Loyalist (Nz) Dreamer Ranga has Don't Stop Dreaming and the would like to Leap To Fame !! 🏆 Best of luck Gentlemen !!! start your engines

v Points from Race 6 tonight at Menangle Blackie with 22 points in that with his great kiwi drivers Ants Butt and Marky boy running the quinella with Merlin and Rockn Roll Doo . what a great race!! . hope you all got to see it. Brodie and Chief with 16, Gamma scored 11, TABman and Ranga both 12, mr galah 14 pts TOTAL Points after 5 comp races Brodie 70, Blackie 68, Gamma 61, Chief 64, TABman 59, Ranga 53, the Galah 50

Congratulations Blackie !! Picking up the 3 Bonus points there for a Quinella selected . great work and a 22 point haul scored for you . Chief , Brodie and Galah also on the Purdon brothers wonderful winner. Was like a flash of MARK HANOVER winning the Interdoninion Grand Final with Mark driving for Barry in the early 90's .. amazing stuff. vvv 1 ITS MERLIN NZ Fr10 12 B Purdon, S D T Phelan Mark Purdon $ 5.00 BAY HORSE 4 by ART MAJOR USA out of IMAGINARY BET (NZ) (BETTORS DELIGHT USA) Owner(s): Montana Park Pty Ltd Breeder(s): Taffy Limited 2 ROCK N ROLL DOO NZ Fr6 7 Michael Stanley Anthony Butt $ 9.50 3 MAX DELIGHT Fr2 3 David Aiken Nathan Jack $ 7.00 4 CAPTAINS KNOCK Fr8 9 Brad Hewitt Brad Hewitt $ 13.00 5 SOUTH COAST ARDEN NZ Fr4 5 Paul Fitzpatrick Gavin Fitzpatrick $ 17.00 6 CURLY JAMES Fr5 6 Courtney Laker David Moran $ 13.00 7 BETTER ECLIPSE Fr1 2 Jess Tubbs Greg Sugars $ 2.70 fav 8 EXPENSIVE EGO Fr7 8 Luke McCarthy Luke McCarthy $ 31.00 9 MACH DA VINCI NZ Fr3 4 Peter Hanson Jack Callaghan $ 10.00 10 KANENA PROVLIMA Fr9 10 KerryAnn Morris Robert Morris $ 31.00

What a WIN by It's MERLIN !!! the Nz Derby Winner attacks 3 wide down the back and keeps attacking !! fantastic !! Mark Purdon pulling out all the kiwi Staying abilty known by All

TOTAL COMP Points (after 4 competition Races ) Brodie 54, Gamma 50, Chief 48, Blackie 46, TABman 47, Ranga 41, the Galah 36 The FFA up next race 6 Menangle tonight. Selections: Chief Stipe has the gun kiwi's South Coast Arden and Merlin TABman has the Victorians Better Eclipse and Max Delight theGalah has Better Eclipse and a 'Merlin sub' for early winner Hot and T. Blackie has Rock n Roll Doo with 'Ants' driving and Merlin for 'Marky Boy' Gammalite has Better Eclipse and Captains Knock (Nsw) Brodie has South Coast Arden and Merlin to support the North islanders he loves Expensive Ranga has Expensive Ego (McCarthy) and Curly James (a good roughie)

Marks horse down the Track in the NSW Derby , never got going like a winner. Soho Spectre takes out the $200,000 race . Bay of Biscay 2nd , Minos 3rd. BOAY COMP Points for the race. Chief 13, TABman 14, Galah 7, Blackie 13, Gamma 5, Brodster 12 , Ranga 8

An easy $60 trifecta to get the extra party needs lol.. the Nz girls powering home in a 1.49.6. The First race tonight in the Comp is the NSW Derby in an hour. race 5 Menangle. Hot favourite is We Walk by Faith with the Champ of Nz Mark Purdon. picked by all (nearly) Selections: Chief Stipe has We Walk by Faith (Nz) and Minos TABman has We Walk By Faith (Nz) and Bay of Biscay (Vic) (cam Hart driving) theGalah has We Walk By Faith (Nz) and Chicago Bart (Nsw) Blackie has We Walk By Faith (Nz) and Minos Gammalite has Nathan Street (Nsw) and 'In Excess' (QLD) Brodie has We Walk By Faith (Nz) and Sergeant Lou (Vic) Ravishing Ranga has We Walk by Faith (Nz) and Ravishing Sloy (Nsw Mccarthy)

would looove to of been Ellerslie today. used to love seeing Ken Browne in jumps season , and a Auckland Cup or 2 as well. Glad you had a great day ! best of luck with selections tonight 🏆

Race 2 soon, has 3 great New Zealand mares running. Livingstones mare I'llhaveABubbles is unbeaten for Grimson , young kiwi lad Jack Trainor has south island mare Braeview Kelly (who has won a stack of Menangle races , and we see 'Manhattan' turning up at Trainors now as well , after a fabulous 3rd in the Nz Breeders Stakes at Addington at her last start. Those 3 Look Sure Fire Trifecta? . just chuck a tenner on it and get in the queue 😎💰💰

Nz takes victory in the First race at Menangle tonight with Livingstones horse the North Islander 'HOT and Treacherous' winning easily for GRIMSON and an easy drive for Cam Hart. Could that set the scene for the Miracle Mile for them ? easy money at $2.60 from the pole draw too. McCarthy runners 2nd and 3rd, and they got the deep South -ender of NZ horse Can'tFindaBetterMan home into 3rd place.

touche' !! too good for me my friend. Will be a good race tomorrow with the first day quinella horses and your good mate Mounga All off the 10m in Race 10 at Reefton. So who will get on their bike first and get the money? Mounga, Helium or Tempo Warrior. I like how the Miracle Mile tonight holds the capacity at 8 runners . Gives them ALL a chance that way so not a bad idea... i think all the mile racing here should be 8 starters all the time. p.s I quite like the small Auckland fields as easier to pick and bet on . 5 winners last night. and didn't pick a winner at Westport.. (just Muscle Bank only) it's just too hard IMO, so am not very close to betting on those. Horses for courses I guess.....

Well you can say I'm ridiculous all you like. I'm saying that Harrison gave the horse No chance of winning by burning it up mid-race after Missing the start by near 100m. DASHING MAJOR is the best horse in the field as it had the longest Handicap. Harrison drove it like that.. to aid the well tried stablemate Jimmy Arma . Probably a pre-race plan as Dunn's do often on these West coast races. Alas after missing the start it was Suicidal driving. (for Dashing Major supporters) a very poor drive it was.. Harrison 'removed' and put on the Number 1 horse tomorrow. Any odds on it causing a bit of drama at the start ? lol. handicap racing at it's best lol. You Mounga supporters are crying over spilt milk because a horse runs on from the back late on . A VERY COMMON occurance in a LOT of races . it's not rediculous to say that . so don't be reidiculous Even on this thread Chief , Newmarket and others have mentioned horses are sometimes driven quietly in these 3 day in-between race days you have there, on the first day . quite normal really. You know this , and yet are surprised when you see it ??? ANSWER: Don't have race-days so close togeather and cut the field size to 10 . solved for you !!

Mate. Robbie Close drives a lot of races . he should know what he's doing. No good going to 'Better off at the gallops for people' as Many many races the Jockeys sit back last and run on too late into 4th or 5th position. Happens Nearly Every 2nd race . Common as Chips. So Robbie driving like a jockey in that 😎 Possibly to keep horse for Sunday , with out flattening it .. who knows. first 2 horses went real well in this race (Tempo and Helium ) good on em ' . I think both beat Mounga tomorrow too 😆😂 If they question everyone who sits back and runs on late , they'll have a NEVER ending queue at the stipes door in NZ racing lol 😁 Now why Not question the JUNIOR driver on the DUNN horse in that race ??RHarrison.. you didn't mention that poor drive?. Lost near 100m at the start refusing to pace. Circled to the death to give Stablemate some cover. Goooonnneee at the quarter pole . Dashing Major absolutely Crucified in that race ?? he'll be flat as piss tomorrow .Sarah O'reilly engaged for it this time with Harrison flicked off lol.. . Mo'unga will beat him home ok ????😅🤣

Time to get some picks organised. Races are 5 , 6 and 7 at Menangle Sat night . Chief will be busy cheering on horse to win at Ellerslie so better get him organised with the New Zealanders looking for the BIG dollars at Menangle. Race 5/ The NSW Derby Gamma has QLDer 'In Excess' and 'Sushi'Tabia's horse Nathan Street. Chief has fav 'WeWalkByFaith' for Mark and also Gore winner 'Minos' Race 6/ The Light Horse FFA Gamma has Better Eclipse and Captain's Knock (cricket is on) Chief has grand old North Islanders South Coast Arden and It's Merlin Race 7/ 2024 Miracle Mile Gamma has the flying Queenslanders Speak The Truth and Leap To Fame ( would like FrankieF as well as 3rd string 😆) Chief Stipe will be rolling with super kiwi's Sooner The Better and Don't Stop Dreaming. Best of Luck Chiefy !! (here and at Ellerslie old mate) 🏆💰

Mango finished his driving so seems have the North Island bought in Russian mail Order drivers now? The Fast class at Cambridge won tonight by Kristina DeniTooFastanova taking the victory 😎. on Fernleigh Cash Harrison get the flick from driving Telfers ? . or gone to Russia on Nz exchange program ?😁😉